Hyundai to Expand U.S. Plant, Introduce Larger Models

March 12, 2015—As a response to U.S. demands for trucks as oil prices drop, Hyundai has said it plans to expand its Alabama plant in an effort to put out more SUVs and crossovers, according to the Automotive News.

Hyundai’s Alabama plant currently only produces the compact Elantra and midsize Sonata, importing its larger models from South Korea. Expanding the plant could also mean Hyundai will introduce its pickup truck to the U.S. market, where it is currently unavailable.

The expansion is expected to increase production at the plant to 300,000 vehicles, with the first line of larger models ready to roll out by 2017.